It's good to be back! Rooney and Fletcher revel in United win on return to action

Wayne Rooney and Darren Fletcher both spoke of their delight after making long-awaited returns to the Manchester United starting line-up in Wednesday's Capital One Cup third round victory over Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Rooney had been absent since suffering a nasty gash to his thigh against Fulham last month while Fletcher was making his first start for 10 months as he battles to overcome a chronic bowel complaint.

Both played important roles as United claimed a 2-1 victory, with goals from Anderson and Tom Cleverley putting the Red Devils two clear before Newcastle substitute Papiss Cisse pulled a goal back for the visitors.

Welcome return: Darren Fletcher (left) made his first start in 10 months

'It's been just over four weeks since I last played and I'm delighted to be back out on the pitch playing, and it was a good run-out for me and hopefully there's a lot more games to come,' Rooney told Sky Sports.

'I feel good, obviously it's always difficult in your first game back after a few weeks but it's great to get the minutes under my belt and hopefully that can benefit me.'

Rooney revealed Tom Cleverley received a half-time rocket from Ferguson before his first Manchester United goal steered them towards victory.

Cleverley had been sent through by Javier Hernandez when the contest was still goalless.

On the way: Tom Cleverley helped United progress... but only after a rollicking

Hairdryer: Sir Alex Ferguson gave Cleverley grief at half-time

But amazingly, with only goalkeeper Rob Elliot to beat, Cleverley fired wide.Although Anderson fired home an excellent 25-yard effort to put United ahead at the break, Rooney confirmed Ferguson was not happy.

'The manager wasn't too pleased with Tom because of that miss in the first half,' said Rooney.

'But it was a nice goal by him and a great strike by Anderson.

'I am delighted for the two of them, especially Tom because it was his first one.'

Fletcher, who was named captain for the evening, added: 'It's great to be back, it's been a long time so it's just good to be back, especially at Old Trafford and back in a winning team as well.'

Return: Wayne Rooney (left) has recovered from his injury

The Scotland international also
heaped praised on his team-mates, including young centre-back pairing
Scott Wootton and Michael Keane.

He said of the two defenders: 'They were fantastic, talking to me the whole game. For two young centre-halves playing against good strikers, they were fantastic.

'All of them were, I thought it was a good team performance tonight and we could've scored a few more goals.'

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said of the victory: 'I'm very pleased, first of all to win a tie in this all-Premier Division clash. Newcastle probably had a stronger team than us physically but we played some fantastic football and I'm pleased with that and I think we deserved to win.'

On the performances of Rooney and
Fletcher, he said: 'Excellent, both of them. Wayne obviously tired
towards the end, but that was to be expected. I'm very very pleased,
they've done very well. They've all done very well.'

Edging through: Manchester United beat Newcastle at Old Trafforfd

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew felt his team deserved more.

He said: 'I thought we played terrific, some of our young lads today would have got a lot of confidence from that because I thought we were as good as United for an away team.'

'I thought it was a great game and I think we perhaps deserved a bit more than we got.'

Pardew also defended striker Papiss Cisse who had come in for criticism after not finding the net this season - but he scored against United.

'The media can't hang that tag round Papiss' neck that he has not scored anymore,' said Pardew.

'That goal means everything to him. There is nothing in his work-rate that has changed. Sometimes a goal can make a difference.

'You could see that little bit of exuberance return to his game with the overhead kick. I thought that was in.'